Rules of the Road - Part 1

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:1-6 ESV). If your future depended on a single definition of yourself, what would it be? There have been many single phrases used to describe the generations. We have seen the emergence of boomers, busters, gen-xers, and others. But who are you? That is the question to ask as we look at Proverbs for the next few days in our devotionals. These are “The Rules for the Road.” So what does it take to define one's self? Solomon gives us some incredible insight in today’s reading. Within this first sentence alone, he lays the blame for the folly of man right where it belongs, right where it has always belonged - at the feet of every individual. Now remember, when Solomon uses the phrase "My son," he is in his role as prophet to Israel. He is speaking the words that he believes he is being inspired to speak through the direction of God. So, these are words for everyone. Solomon makes it very clear that remembering the Laws of God and keeping the commandments of Moses, given by God, were in the hands of the individual. The words are indicative of an act of the will. Let me put it another way. You can tell your children not to do something, but unless they choose to remember what you told them, or to keep or obey the orders you have given rest solely on them. Of course in the family situation, we would have direct cause to bring about retribution and see to it that our orders were not forgotten or disobeyed again. Solomon herein calls on the Jewish Nation to shut out all hatred and selfishness, to shut out all deliberate hypocrisy and falsehood, and to not let mercy and kindness and truth forsake them, but to wear it around their neck as a priceless treasure, a symbol of their heritage as children of The Living God, and to write it upon their hearts as a stone carver would etch ornate designs into fine granite or marble walls. It was a time to define themselves as men and women of God, and to find favor in the eyes of other nations 'round about them. It was a call to define themselves to one another as well. To seek out from among them men of Good report, honest, and trustworthy, and full of the Spirit of God. That’s our direction! It’s a lesson to shut out all hatred and selfishness, to shut out all deliberate hypocrisy and falsehood. To not let "mercy and kindness and truth" become bywords, but to brandish the integrity of a man or woman of God, living a life of strength and virtue, a true pillar of our churches and communities. I believe this is the greatest calling of Christians everywhere, especially in these last days, to define ourselves as men and women of "good report", honest and trustworthy, and full of the Holy Ghost. That’s the first rule for the road. How’s are you doing?